yuji okitsu combines an array of lenses into reflective 3D forms

salone del mobile 2017: composed entirely of large lenses, ‘lightflakes’ is an intricate three-dimensional piece by tokyo-based architect yuji okitsu that creates never-ending reflections of light and silhouettes. when installed in any interior, ‘the surrounding scenery is replicated in the infinite play of light… this brings us opportunities to interact with natural light in our daily life, which is often overly saturated with artificial ones’. 

reflecting and duplicating natural light via the effect of the lens 

exhibited at this year’s milano salone sattelite in april, yuji okitsu‘s product can be converted into any free form – depending on use and spatial conditions. for example, ‘lightflakes’ can be configured into a furniture that brings in natural light — such as the partition wall ‘impression’, designed by the team. with this ethereal effect, the object ‘gradually changes the atmosphere in the room while communicating changes in the natural environment to the interior, as light transforms itself throughout the day,’ explains the architect.

the partition wall ‘impression’ with its infinite reflections

detail view of the duplicating effects created by the lenses

‘lightflakes’ can be re-combined to create any shape

users can experiment for free forms in furniture ware

slits are processed in four directions of a lens with a thickness of 0.3mm

incorporating the slits of lightflakes into the lenses

the assembled lightflakes shape the natural light 

detail of assembled units

various patterns appear depending on the viewing angle

steps of assembling ‘lightflakes’

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.